Packaging for smoking articles

ABSTRACT

An improved packaging for roll your own moking articles that includes a pair of substantially parallel members connected together at opposing ends and forming a generally open interior. The pair of substantially parallel members extend along a path between the opposing ends. The path includes at least one substantially straight portion and a semi-cylindrical portion. The pair of substantially parallel members are configured such that a plurality of rolling papers may be removably packaged between the pair of substantially parallel members. The plurality of rolling papers at least initially conform to the shape of the path of the pair of substantially parallel members after removal from the improved packaging such that a tobacco product may be immediately introduced.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is related in general to the field of products used by an end user to create their own cigars or cigarettes. More particularly, the invention is related to an improved packaging for roll your own smoking articles.

2. Discussion of the Background

Many end users prefer to roll their own smoking articles, such as cigars, cigarettes or the like. Materials or papers used for rolling smoking articles are made from a variety of materials such as reconstituted tobacco sheets, packed herbs, paper and the like (collectively referred to herein as “rolling paper”). Rolling paper may also be made of cellulose paper, which can be made from cellulose of wood, cotton, or hemp that is blended with glycerin or a glycerin alternative, and water. Rolling papers that are used in the marketplace today are typically sold in packaging. Existing packaging for rolling papers maintains the rolling papers in either a basically flat shape, or a tubular shape tightly wrapped around a straw.

To roll their own smoking article, an end user typically removes one or more rolling papers from its packaging, manipulates the one or more rolling papers (as discussed in detail below), places a desired amount of tobacco between the one or more rolling papers, and rolls the one or more rolling papers into a tubular shape. The tubular shape is then sealed using adhesive or moisture, and allowed to dry to form a hardened shell which contains the tobacco product. After drying, the smoking article may be smoked by the end user.

A problem associated with rolling your own smoking article is that it is often difficult for an end user to actually roll the smoking article. The end user has to be skillful in carefully adding the tobacco between the rolling paper and rolling the paper without crushing the shell or the tobacco product contained therein. Existing packaging for rolling papers, which maintains the rolling papers in either a basically flat shape or a tubular shape, often increases the difficulty in rolling the smoking article.

In particular, rolling paper that is contained within packaging having a flat shape requires the end user to manipulate the rolling paper by folding the rolling paper after determining where to fold the rolling paper. The user then inserts the tobacco product and rolls the rolling paper such that it will hopefully remain in place to form a shell. Some rolling paper products include a v-fold in the middle of the rolling paper. The end user is required to re-fold the paper, which in some cases is problematic. Also problematic is that the original fold doesn't fully go away. In particulat, the v-fold often does not allow for efficient rolling and sealing of the paper and may result in undesirable characteristics in the smoking product, such as smoking articles having undesirable air channels along the original v-fold in which air may be pulled through.

Conventional packaging, which maintains rolling paper in a tubular shape, typically utilizes a straw with the rolling paper wrapped tightly around the straw. Rolling paper generally at least initially conforms to the shape of its packaging. Because the rolling paper at least initially conforms to its packaged state of being tightly wrapped around a straw, an end user is required to first carefully unroll the rolling paper and hope that it doesn't recoil. Such unrolling is problematic since rolling paper tends to at least initially maintain the shape of its original packaging—a tight tubular shape. As such, the rolling paper is difficult to unroll without recoil and unstable for adding tobacco products. After unrolling the rolling paper, the end user then bends and folds the rolling paper as desired, inserts the tobacco product, and rerolls the rolling paper.

Existing packaging and the rolling paper contained therein is therefore inherently difficult to use and are not conducive to rolling the smoking article. Thus, as noted above, there currently exist numerous deficiencies in packaging for smoking articles that are known in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to provide an improved packaging for roll your own smoking articles that includes a pair of substantially parallel members connected together at opposing ends and forming a generally open interior. The pair of substantially parallel members extend along a path between the opposing ends. The path includes at least one substantially straight portion and a semi-cylindrical portion. The pair of substantially parallel members are configured such that a plurality of rolling papers may be removably packaged between the pair of substantially parallel members. The plurality of rolling papers at least initially conform to the shape of the path of the pair of substantially parallel members after removal from the improved packaging such that a tobacco product may be immediately introduced.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an improved packaging for roll your own smoking articles that includes a pair of substantially parallel members connected together at opposing ends and forming a generally open interior. The pair of substantially parallel members extend along a path between the opposing ends. The path includes at least one substantially straight portion and a semi-cylindrical portion. The pair of substantially parallel members are configured such that one or more rolling papers may be removably packaged between the pair of substantially parallel members. The one or more rolling papers at least initially conform to the shape of the path of the pair of substantially parallel members after removal from the improved packaging such that a tobacco product may be immediately introduced.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for packaging smoking articles that includes connecting a pair of substantially parallel members together at opposing ends to form a generally open interior therebetween, arranging the pair of substantially parallel members to extend along a path between the opposing ends, and removably packaging a plurality of rolling papers between the pair of substantially parallel members. The path includes at least one substantially straight portion and a semi-cylindrical portion. The one or more rolling papers at least initially conform to the shape of the path of the pair of substantially parallel members after removal from the improved packaging.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an improved packaging for smoking articles according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a left side view of the improved packaging for smoking articles according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the improved packaging for smoking articles according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the improved packaging for smoking articles according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view of the improved packaging for smoking articles according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the improved packaging for smoking articles according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the improved packaging for smoking articles according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described.

Many end users prefer to roll their own smoking articles, such as cigars, cigarettes or the like. It is often difficult for an end user to roll the smoking article. The end user has to be skillful in carefully adding the tobacco between the rolling paper and rolling the paper without crushing the shell or the tobacco contained therein. Existing packaging for rolling papers which maintains the rolling papers in either a basically flat shape or a tubular shape often increases the difficulty in rolling the smoking article. The present invention solves this problem.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, an improved packaging 10 for smoking articles according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The packaging 10 includes two pieces of substantially parallel material 12 and 14 formed together at respective end portions 16 and 18. Packaging 10 may also be formed from a single piece of material with two sides 12 and 14.

At least one opening is formed between parallel material 12 and 14. As shown in FIG. 1, the at least one opening extends from a top portion of material 12 and 14 substantially therethrough to a bottom portion of material 12 and 14. Optionally, the opening extends from the top portion of material 12 and 14 to an opening at the bottom portion of material 12 and 14.

Material 12 and 14 each includes a rear portion 20, a curved portion 22 and a front portion 24. Material 12 and 14 may include any ridged material, such as plastic, paper, metal, and the like, which may be configured to generally maintain a curved shape. Rear portion 20 and front portion 24 are substantially straight. However, as shown in FIG. 1, rear portion 20 and front portion 24 may include a minimal curve.

One or more rolling papers are configured to be non-permanently held between material 12 and 14. The packaging 10 is configured such that one or more rolling papers, positioned between material 12 and 14, may be removed by an end user by means of the at least one opening of material 12 and 14. The front portion of material 12 may optionally include a curved opening 26 configured such that the end user may more easily remove rolling papers from the packaging 10 using preferably the end user's finger or thumb.

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, the curved portion 22 has a diameter of approximately 16 millimeters, and material 12 and 14 have a length of approximately 6.75 centimeters and a height of approximately 11.75 centimeters.

In one optional embodiment of the invention, packaging 10 is packaged within a sealed plastic, paper, or metallic poach or container in order to provide additional protection to the packaging 10 and the rolling paper contained therein.

In one optional embodiment of the invention, the packaging 10 also includes a re-sealable pouch or container (not shown) that conforms to the opening formed by the interior walls of material 14. The re-sealable pouch or container may be used for storing tobacco or other materials used in smoking articles.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a smoking article is packaged by connecting a pair of substantially parallel materials 12 and 14 together at opposing ends to form a generally open interior therebetween. The materials 12 and 14 are arranged to extend along a path between the opposing ends. The path includes a substantially straight rear portion 20, a curved portion 22 and a substantially straight front portion 24. A plurality of rolling papers are removably packaged between materials 12 and 14. The one or more rolling papers at least initially conform to the shape of the path of the pair of materials 12 and 14 after removal from the improved packaging. The packaging 10 may optionally be packaged within a sealed poach or container in order to provide additional protection to the packaging 10 and the rolling paper contained therein.

Using the present invention, an end user removes one or more rolling papers from packaging 10. A user then places a desired amount of a tobacco product between the curved portion of the rolling paper, and rolls the rolling paper into a tubular shape. The curved portion of the rolling paper results from the rolling paper conforming to curved portion 22 of materials 12 and 14 after its removal. The tubular shape then is sealed using adhesive or moisture, and allowed to dry to form a shell which contains the tobacco product. After drying, the smoking article may be smoked by the end user. Because the one or more rolling papers at least initially conform to its packaged state in which only a portion of materials 12 and 14 are substantially curved, after removal from the packaging 10, the rolling paper is more accessible and stable for the addition of the tobacco product and an end user is not required to first unroll the rolling paper before adding such tobacco. The present invention also eliminates the possibility of recoil and undesirable air channels though which air may be pulled.

Obviously, many other modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative, and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention in any manner. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the disclosed concept, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. 

1. An improved packaging for roll your own smoking articles, comprising: a pair of substantially parallel members connected together at opposing ends and forming a generally open interior, the pair of substantially parallel members extending along a path between the opposing ends, the path including at least one substantially straight portion and a semi-cylindrical portion, the pair of substantially parallel members being configured such that a plurality of rolling papers may be removably packaged between the pair of substantially parallel members, wherein the plurality of rolling papers at least initially conform to the shape of the path of the pair of substantially parallel members after removal from the improved packaging such that a tobacco product may be immediately introduced.
 2. The improved packaging of claim 1, further comprising an opening extending along the path of the pair of substantially parallel members.
 3. The improved packaging of claim 2, further comprising a non-permanent seal along the opening configured to seal the plurality of rolling papers within the pair of substantially parallel members.
 4. The improved packaging of claim 2, wherein at least one of the pair of substantially parallel members includes a semi-circular cutout portion at the opening configured to allow a user to remove one or more of the plurality of rolling papers.
 5. The improved packaging of claim 2, wherein the pair of substantially parallel members are substantially ridged.
 6. The improved packaging of claim 5, wherein the pair of substantially parallel members comprise plastic.
 7. The improved packaging of claim 5, wherein the pair of substantially parallel members comprise paper.
 8. The improved packaging of claim 2, wherein the pair of substantially parallel members are formed from a single piece of material.
 9. The improved packaging of claim 2, further comprising one or more pockets for the storage of the implements or products of the smoking article.
 10. The improved packaging of claim 9, wherein the one or more pockets is formed within an interior wall of one of the parallel members.
 11. The improved packaging of claim 2, wherein the path further includes two substantially straight portions, wherein the semi-cylindrical portion is arranged between the two substantially straight portions.
 12. The improved packaging of claim 11, wherein the two substantially straight portions include a minimal curve.
 13. The improved packaging of claim 11, wherein the semi-cylindrical portion has a diameter of approximately 16 millimeters.
 14. The improved packaging of claim 13, wherein the path has a length of approximately 6.75 centimeters.
 15. The improved packaging of claim 14, wherein the pair of substantially parallel members have a height of approximately 11.75 centimeters.
 16. The improved packaging of claim 10, wherein one of the two substantially straight portions is longer than the other substantially straight portion.
 17. The improved packaging of claim 2, wherein tobacco may be placed within one or more of the plurality of rolling papers after removal from the improved packaging without requiring a user to first unroll the one or more rolling papers.
 18. An improved packaging for roll your own smoking articles, comprising: a pair of substantially parallel members connected together at opposing ends and forming a generally open interior, the pair of substantially parallel members extending along a path between the opposing ends, the path including at least one substantially straight portion and a semi-cylindrical portion, the pair of substantially parallel members being configured such that one or more rolling papers may be removably packaged between the pair of substantially parallel members, wherein the one or more rolling papers at least initially conform to the shape of the path of the pair of substantially parallel members after removal from the improved packaging such that a tobacco product may be immediately introduced.
 19. The improved packaging of claim 18, the one or more rolling papers comprises reconstituted tobacco sheets.
 20. A method for packaging roll your own smoking articles, comprising: connecting a pair of substantially parallel members together at opposing ends to form a generally open interior therebetween; arranging the pair of substantially parallel members to extend along a path between the opposing ends, wherein the path includes at least one substantially straight portion and a semi-cylindrical portion; and removably packaging a plurality of rolling papers between the pair of substantially parallel members, wherein the one or more rolling papers at least initially conform to the shape of the path of the pair of substantially parallel members after removal from the improved packaging.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein at least one of the pair of substantially parallel members includes a semi-circular cutout portion at the opening configured to allow a user to remove one or more of the plurality of rolling papers. 